Fabian Balbuena has been talking up Felipe Anderson’s special goal at Huddersfield saying: “We know he has the technical ability to do that.”
The Paraguayan – who looks more and more of a fixture at the back – which will make life particularly difficult for Winston Reid when he returns – also claimed that the Brazilian is in a “good moment .”
Speaking to www.whufc.com he said: “It seemed like the ball didn’t want to go in the goal at that moment, because it was bouncing around, but we know Felipe has the technical ability to finish like that.
“He is in a good moment now and we hope he can keeping on scoring to help us win more games.”
On the game generally he added: “I think it was a fair result because we created chances. There was intensity to the game from the first minute, but they scored the first goal and we had to change our strategy because going behind early makes it difficult against a team like Huddersfield playing at home.”
After taking to Premier League life well the central defender is off on international duty with Paraguay for a friendly against South Africa.
He said: “I’m happy for the national team to call me up. Now, we have a game against South Africa, with a new coach.
“There are lots of young, new players with the national team too so we need to create a good group to qualify for the next World Cup
CandH‘s view
It’s easy to forgive anything when a guy scores close to wonder goal and once again we saw another element of Felipe Anderson’s abilities yesterday because that was indeed as good a goal as you will see anywhere. It’s also easy to realise that stuff can be lost in translation when spoken by a Paraguyan with a limited range in English so “being in a good moment” may fall into that area. There are good moments and ….err, good moments. The reality is that against Huddersfield it was probably one of very few good moments in the Brazilian’s 90 minutes. I watched him reasonably closely and all the frailties we have seen previously were there. It’s not good to be over critical – that can’t help and it’s good that he is having those game changing ” moments.” However, I’m waiting anxiously for the moment when I see him glide past two or three defenders and deliver a killer passes or score more wonder goals on a regular basis. Patience is a virtue I guess.
Look there is intensity and intensity , we needed to close down more and have as much energy as them . This was the same at Brighton , we’ve got to learn to close down , fight for the ball and with the quality we have we should be winning these type of games. So more fight and passion and not taking any team for granted then we will be there . Yes Anderson is starting to look good but I know what you mean he needs an all round performance but I’m not going to criticise he is going to come good. We also need the team and manager to stick together , play the philosophy and listen . When this all comes together I think we will be awesome but we have to start winning and now . We could go on a good run of wins if we pull it together and I believe we will soon. COYI ⚒.
You are absolutely right about the translation point. “a good moment” is from Spanish “un been moment”, which would better translate into English as “things are working for him”, referring to the goals he has scored. We all know the feeling when you score. That is what Balbuena was probably referring to. Goals bring confidence. Confidence yields better performances, etc.
I think the time to assess Felipe Anderson will be in May, and not now after 12 games. Felipe has been getting a first experience of Premier League football, in a team consisting of a number of new players who struggled initially to get used to each other (and a new manager’s style). With two thirds of the season to go, I can see more improvement from West Ham with them finishing above Brighton, Wolves, Leicester and Everton.